MANILA (2nd UPDATE) - Eight members of the elite Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (SAF) were killed in an ambush by suspected New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Cagayan on Monday morning, police said.

A landmine exploded in Barangay Cataratan in Allacapan town at around 8:30 a.m. while the policemen, on board a truck, were passing, according to Director Rodrigo De Gracia, Cagayan Valley (Region 2) police chief.

"We grieve for the brave police officers and the other victims of this unconscionable crime," the government peace panel said in a statement.

The peace panel condemned the rebels' use of landmines, saying it was a violation of the Ottawa treaty which banned them.

"By its insistence on using landmines and its insistence on continuing a regime of violence... the NPA turns a blind eye to the clamor of our people for a peaceful resolution of the armed conflict," the panel said.